Beloved employee of Gladieux Refinery, per Mark Gladieux, the owner's son. Ozzie retired from Gladieux in 1985, after 32 years.

Eleventh child (sixth living) born to Henry Payton and Lovey Edwards, who was 31 when Eugene was born. She died of heart problems the following year. He was listed as Jean (probably should be Gene) in the 1930 Howard Co., IN census with his father and stepmother. His draft cards show his middle name as James.

Adopted by Alfred Barnett (1862-1939) and Lucinda Ray (1864-1952), both buried in Alexandria, Madison Co., IN. His biological maternal grandmother was Ann Cook. His adopted paternal grandparent was Amanda "Mandy" (Cook) Barnett-Biggs. They are likely related.

Note that the half siblings listed in his obituary are actually foster siblings or perhaps cousins.

Obituary:
EUGENE J. BARNETT, 68, of Fort Wayne died Tuesday at home.

The Kokomo native retired as vice president of purchasing for Gladieux Oil Refinery. He also formerly owned Barnett's Market, was a veteran of the Army and a 33rd degree Mason, affiliated with Prince Hall.

Surviving are his wife, Alma; daughters, Arnetta Barnett, Rosetta McBride and Cynthia Barnett, all of Fort Wayne; a son, Robert of Kona, Hawaii; a sister, Lucille Meneese of Milwaukee; brother, Andy Payton of Fort Wayne; a half sister, Clara Cooper of Muncie; half brothers, Alfred Barnett and Johnny Barnett, both of Muncie; 10 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday in Union Baptist Church, with burial in Covington Memorial Gardens. Calling is 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the church, with a Masonic memorial service at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow. Arrangements are by Sanders Mortuary.

News-Sentinel, The (Fort Wayne, IN) - Thursday, June 30, 1994